Fresh Start

While today kicks off a long holiday weekend, I won't be doing much relaxing the next few days. Instead, my husband and I are going to start a kitchen renovation project. We're finally going to paint the dark walls and old cabinets, and then order new countertops and a nice faucet. My parents, sister and brother-in-law are all coming over to help, and I'm hoping it's a fun project with some pizza and beer breaks thrown in. I can't wait to lighten and freshen up the kitchen. If our new space can look even a bit like these inspirational images, I'll be very happy. 

Happy weekend!

Photos from here, here, here and here. 

Kitchen Prep

When my husband and I bought our house, we considered the kitchen a space we'd live with for awhile but eventually spruce up. We like the layout but the cabinets, countertops and appliances are a bit dated, and the lighting is pretty terrible. We're hoping to repaint the walls, paint the cabinets and get new countertops this spring. In addition to researching how to tackle some of these projects, I'm also scouring the web and magazines for visual inspiration. I like these kitchens by Candice Olson, featured on hgtv.com. I like how they're a mix of modern and glamorous. I could definitely spend some time in these spaces!

Photos from here. 

Perfection

I am in love with this kitchen. While I'm a sucker for pretty much any makeover or before-and-after photo series, this kitchen remodel on House Beautiful is incredible. The materials, the lines, the colors -- everything is so bright and clean and, well, just perfect.

Here, have a look. And don't miss the "before" photos on the online slideshow.

This kitchen may be just the inspiration I need to get a jump on some of our own home-improvement projects over the weekend!

Photos from here.

Cool Cucinas

Everyone talks about the kitchen as being the heart of the home. Indeed, it's where we end up chatting at the end of a day, where friends inevitably congregate during parties. What's great is so many styles of kitchens are conducive to forging these types of connections.

Here are a few kitchens I liked at My Home Ideas.

I love this room! The blackboard walls are so irreverent and fun.

Equal parts clean and natural.

Can't you imagine talking with friends for hours at this table?

Such warm and luxurious materials!

This kitchen is graphically gorgeous.

Photos from here.

Craving Cool Kitchens

The kitchen is such an important room in a home, yet it can be hard to get right. I always think if I could just get my kitchen perfect, then I'd definitely cook more.

While this might be wishful thinking, these Domino kitchens and dining rooms are places I'd surely spend some serious time.

I love this combination of white, light wood and natural light.

Maybe it's all the black and white, but I'd like to sit down with a newspaper and cup of coffee.

Deep purple seems unusual -- but so right -- for a formal-ish dining room.

I like the variety of shapes going on here.

Black, white, blond wood and a vibrant green work in a clean, graphic way.

Why not show off a wildly ornate wallpaper in the kitchen?

I'm digging the layer upon layer of pattern here. And since most of it is blue, it works.

Who needs more than minimalistic furniture when your table overlooks this gorgous yard?

This dining room reminds me of a cheery, simple bistro.

Photos from dominomag.com.